SACRAMENTO, Calif —
Wildfire season is well underway in California with multiple fires breaking out recently.
Poor air quality is expected for parts of Northern California because of active wildfires.
The Air Quality Index is a measure of how five air pollutants, including particulate matter (PM2.5), ground-level ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide contribute to how healthy or unhealthy the air is.
"Think of the AQI as a yardstick that runs from 0 to 500. The higher the AQI value, the greater the level of air pollution and the greater the health concern," according to the website Air Now, "For example, an AQI value of 50 or below represents good air quality, while an AQI value over 300 represents hazardous air quality."
This map by Purple Air gives up to the minute air quality readings across California.
According to Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District, if you see or smell smoke, minimize outdoor activities to protect your health. It is advised children and the elderly as well as those with respiratory and heart conditions be particularly careful to avoid exposure.
TIPS TO AVOID WILDFIRE SMOKE EXPOSURE:
- Stay indoors and keep doors and windows closed as much as possible
- Set your air conditioner to re-circulating indoor air mode
- Asthma residents should follow their asthma management plan
- Contact your doctor if you have symptoms of cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms you believe to be caused by smoke
- Residents with heart disease should especially limit their smoke exposure due to an increased risk of heart attacks
The California Air Resources Board says during wildfires and smoky conditions, the best health prevention is to stay indoors with the windows and doors closed. The board also suggests:
- If you have an AC unit, run it on recirculate while also consistently updating the air filter
- Avoid activities that increase indoor pollution
- Avoid exercising outdoors